A comprehensive global analysis published in The Lancet journal has revealed deeply disturbing statistics on sexual violence against children, placing India at the top of the list in South Asia for reported cases among girls. According to the data, over 30 per cent of Indian girls and 13 per cent of boys experienced sexual violence before the age of 18 in 2023, highlighting a crisis that continues to unfold in silence and shadows.
The study, conducted by researchers at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), University of Washington, offers the most exhaustive review to date of child sexual abuse globally, spanning over three decades and covering more than 200 countries. Its findings uncover the widespread prevalence and persistence of sexual violence against children across continents, income levels, and cultures.
Sexual Violence Against Minors in India
Among South Asian nations, India recorded the highest prevalence of sexual violence against girls, with 30.8 per cent reporting abuse before turning 18. Bangladesh followed with 9.3 per cent, a significantly lower yet still alarming figure. While boys were generally less likely to report such violence, the data still points to troubling levels: 13 per cent of Indian boys also disclosed experiencing sexual abuse as minors.
These figures place India at the centre of a regional emergency, with implications for the country’s child protection frameworks, law enforcement efficacy, societal awareness, and mental health support systems.
A Global Epidemic of Abuse
The study’s global findings paint a bleak picture: nearly one in five girls and one in seven boys worldwide were subjected to sexual violence during childhood. The researchers emphasized that for a majority—almost 70 per cent of survivors—abuse began before they turned 18, regardless of geographic location.
The rates for boys peaked in sub-Saharan Africa, where up to 28 per cent of children in Côte d’Ivoire and 8 per cent in Zimbabwe reported having suffered sexual violence. This region had the highest reported prevalence among boys globally, underscoring the need for gender-inclusive protective policies.
The age-standardised global prevalence rates in 2023 stood at 18.9 per cent for females and 14.8 per cent for males.
Systemic Gaps and Challenges in Reporting
A major finding of the study is the chronic lack of data and underreporting that hinders efforts to effectively address and prevent child sexual abuse. The researchers highlighted that existing studies have often been constrained by limited coverage, methodological inconsistencies, and societal taboos surrounding discussions of child abuse, particularly in low and middle-income countries.
Due to cultural stigma, victim-blaming attitudes, and inadequate support systems, many cases go unreported. This makes official data only the tip of the iceberg. The authors stressed the urgent need for more robust surveillance systems and longitudinal studies to understand the full scope of the crisis.
Health and Psychological Fallout
The consequences of sexual violence during childhood are severe and long-lasting, extending well into adulthood. Survivors face elevated risks of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, self-harm, and suicide, according to health experts. The trauma also affects academic performance, job opportunities, relationships, and overall quality of life.
For children, especially in socially conservative settings like India, accessing mental health services remains fraught with barriers, including stigma, cost, and availability of trained professionals. The need for trauma-informed care models is more pressing than ever.
India has enacted several laws aimed at child protection, most notably the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. Yet, enforcement remains inconsistent. Cases often drag on in court, while victims face secondary trauma during investigations.
Child rights activists argue for structural reforms—including fast-track courts for child abuse cases, child-friendly police stations, and gender-sensitive training for legal and healthcare professionals. Furthermore, awareness campaigns, community engagement, and school-based education on consent and body autonomy are essential steps to address the issue preventively.
The report also raises questions about the adequacy of India’s child welfare mechanisms, from Child Welfare Committees to the Integrated Child Protection Scheme. Stakeholders advocate for increased investment in social services, comprehensive rehabilitation programmes, and stronger collaboration between government, civil society, and mental health experts.
Urgent Need for Preventive Measures
The study’s authors call for global and national commitments to eliminate sexual violence against children, emphasizing the need for early interventions, protective legislation, school-based prevention programs, and comprehensive sex education. They also stress the importance of survivor-centric services that include psychological support, legal aid, and long-term rehabilitation.
Campaigners argue that without societal change, even the best laws will remain ineffective. It’s crucial to break the silence surrounding sexual abuse, promote safe spaces for children to report violence, and foster an environment where survivors are believed and supported.
As countries confront their own statistics, the Lancet study encourages international cooperation, particularly in terms of funding, data sharing, and best practices. Multilateral institutions like UNICEF and WHO must support national efforts to combat child sexual abuse, especially in low-resource settings where the gap between policy and practice remains wide.
The researchers recommend a standardized global framework for monitoring sexual violence against children. Such a framework would help in developing targeted policies and allocating resources efficiently. It would also serve to hold governments accountable for their child protection records.
The data from The Lancet study is a stark reminder of the deep-rooted and systemic nature of sexual violence against children, both in India and globally. While the numbers expose the scale of the issue, they also provide an opportunity to confront long-standing failings and reset national priorities.
For India, which has the highest prevalence rate in South Asia, there is an urgent need for comprehensive reforms, awareness-building, and the dismantling of societal stigmas that shield abusers and silence survivors. The path forward must involve coordinated action across legal, educational, healthcare, and community sectors. Only then can the country hope to protect its most vulnerable citizens from such pervasive harm.
